NHL

Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs

· National Hockey League
Florida Panthers
41-22-3
Final
3 - 2
Toronto Maple Leafs
39-23-3

Sam Bennett scores 2 power-play goals in surging Panthers' 3-2 victory over Maple Leafs

Sam Bennett scores on the power play for Florida Panthers

Defenseman Niko Mikkola also scored for the defending champion Panthers. They lead the Atlantic Division, four points ahead of the second-place Maple Leafs. Toronto has lost four of five.

Florida played without Matthew Tkachuk (lower-body), newcomer Brad Marchand (upper-body) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (suspension).

John Tavares had his 27th goal of the season for Toronto. Max Domi added a goal, and Anthony Stolarz stopped 22 shots.

Takeaways Panthers: Captain Alexsander Barkov, Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart and members of the team’s management presented a Stanley Cup replica ring to the Hockey Hall of Fame in a ceremony Wednesday.

Maple Leafs: Stolarz lost for the second time in two starts against his former club this season.

Key moment Tied at 1, the Panthers killed off two penalties in the first 10 minutes of the second period, then scored twice in a 3:17 span

Key stat Florida and Toronto had been separated by two points or fewer for 103 days.

Upcoming Both teams play Saturday. The Panthers are at Montreal, and the Maple Leafs host Ottawa.

Regular Season Series

FLA leads series 2-0

Scoring Summary

Goal 1st Period 2:00 John Tavares Goal (27) Wrist Shot, assists: William Nylander (31), Simon Benoit (5)
Goal 1st Period 17:51 Sam Bennett Goal (21) Wrist Shot, assists: Mackie Samoskevich (11), Sam Reinhart (37)
Goal 2nd Period 13:56 Niko Mikkola Goal (5) Wrist Shot, assists: A.J. Greer (11)
Goal 2nd Period 17:13 Sam Bennett Goal (22) Wrist Shot, assists: Sam Reinhart (38), Mackie Samoskevich (12)
Goal 3rd Period 4:26 Max Domi Goal (5) Wrist Shot, assists: Calle Jarnkrok (1), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (22)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/fla.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originFLA https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nhl/500/tor.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originTOR
12 Blocked Shots 14
40 Hits 24
2 Takeaways 4
25 Shots 25
2 Power Play Goals 0
3 Power Play Opportunities 3
66.7 Power Play Percentage 0.0
0 Short Handed Goals 0
0 Shootout Goals 0
29 Faceoffs Won 28
50.9 Faceoff Win Percent 49.1
18 Giveaways 8
4 Total Penalties 4
11 Penalty Minutes 11
Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Matias Maccelli, LW Day-To-Day Dec 17
Anthony Stolarz, G Injured Reserve Dec 16
Chris Tanev, D Injured Reserve Dec 15
Marshall Rifai, D Injured Reserve Dec 12
Brandon Carlo, D Injured Reserve Dec 12
Florida Panthers Florida Panthers Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Matthew Tkachuk, LW Injured Reserve Nov 26

Game Information

Scotiabank Arena

Location: Toronto, ON
Attendance: 19,201 | Capacity:

2025-26 Atlantic Division Standings

TEAM W L PTS OTL
Detroit 19 12 41 3
Boston 20 14 40 0
Tampa Bay 18 12 39 3
Montreal 17 12 38 4
Florida 17 13 36 2
Toronto 15 12 35 5
Ottawa 15 13 34 4
Buffalo 14 14 32 4
Full Standings